Vehicle direction indicator



L. D. ONEiL VEHICLE DIRECTION INDICATOR July '2, 1925. 1,545,166

Filed Nov. 1, 1924 2 Sheets-$heet 1 NE!L VEHICLE DIRECTION INDICATOR LDC) Jul 7, 1925.

Filed Nov. 1. 1924 2 Sheets-Shem 2 snow 01 $.13, 0 1 7,

Patented July 7, 1925,

PATENT OFF ICE LAWRENCE .1). OINEIL, orenann JUNCTION, COLORADO.

VEHICLE DIRECTION INDICATOR.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE D. ONEIL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Junction, in the county of Mesa and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle Direction Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle direction indicators, and has forits principal object to provide a simple and eflicient means whereby the operator of amotor vehicle may efficiently actuate a signalling means which is visible to approaching, as well as pursuing motor vehicles, whereby the direction, in which the motor vehicle, upon which the signal ismounted, is to pursue, is indicated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle direction indicator of the above mentioned character, wherein the actuating means therefor is supported on the automobile, as to be readily accessible to the operator thus obviating the necessity of the operator having to place his hand outwardly of the car, in order to warn pursuing or approaching automobiles, as tothe di, rection in which the motor vehicle travels.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle direction indicator of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted for the purposes for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same: I

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vehicle direction indicator, showing the same in its normal position, on an automobile body.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the signal arm and the casing, forming a part of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a sectional view, taken approximately on the line&4 of Figure5, with parts broken away.

Figure 5 isa section, taken on the line 55 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is asectional view,taken approximately on the line "6 6 of Figure 3, and

Application filed November 1, 1924, Serial No. 747,298; i i j 5..

Figure 7 is ,a sectional view, taken approximately on the line 77 of Figure 6.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shownthe preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a substantially rectangular casing, which is supported forwardly of the dash board of an automobile, designated generally by the letter A, in any suitable manner. Extending through the forward and rear walls of the casing 1, and also through the dash board B is a rptary shaft 2. The shaft 2 is adapted for slidable movement through the casing, in the manner hereinafter to be more fully described, and for the purpose of limiting the inward movement of the shaft, so that the outer end thereof will not become disengaged from the forward wall of the casing, I provide a transversely extending pin 3, through the outer end of the shaft. An actuating handle 4 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 2, and is disposed in close proximity to the steering column, whereby the operator may have ready access thereto.

A bevelled gear 5 is splined on the shaft 2, and is disposed within the casing 1, ad-

jacent the rear wall thereof.

A pin 6 extends transversely through the shaft 2, adjacent the outer end thereof. A coil spring 7 encircles the shaft 2, and has one end thereof engaging the bevelled gear 5, the other end being in engagement with a suitable washer 8, supported on the shaft 2, and abutting the outer ends of the transversely extending pins 6. The purpose of this construction will also be hereinafter more fully described.

Extending through the outer side wall 0 the casing 1, at right angles to the shaft 2 and laterally from the side of the body of the motor vehicle A, is the shaft 9. A suit able housing 10, is providedfor the laterally extending shaft 9, and the inner end thereof is braced through the medium of a suitable collar 11, which is attached to the outer side wall of the casing 1. The inner end of the laterally extending shaft 9 extends into the casing 1, and carries thereon a bevelled gear 12, which is adapted to mesh with the bevelled gear 5, whereby the shaft 9 may be rotated simultaneously with the rotation of the shaft 2.

A bevelled gear 13 is carried by the outer end of the laterally extending shaft 9, the

same being adapted for engagement with.

I shaft,2y isithnn-rotatecl1byi urninathe-hand reaehings siieha; posi-tion, v the a handle the segmental bevel-gear .14, Thigh .is assorciated w th the, inner [end of thelslgnali arm, designated generally by the numeral 15, the

segmental bevel gear lgi: being further sup: 7

ported on a suitable pin 16; which extends laterally from the free QIKLJOfiIIh angular;

bracket 17, the latter being secured around the outer ends of thehousingdO, for the shaft 9, in the manner as illustrated at 18.

The signal arm 1 1 supports, on itslrespeetivelhdsithe. lamp housings19 and 201e,:

nal arn n The signal arn 1-5,.as Well. as the.-

lamp housings, are constructed. oflight metal, 211llHtl1QaS1gl12Ll arin 1s. furthenhollow, as more clearly; lllustnated, 1n Eigure .7, to ;per-

mit the, reception of? theusual Wiring em ployed for: 5 the electric lamp 21, associ ated; thr he emrAmus n Normally, the signal arm 15 i is. disposed in the 1 downwardly extendingvertieal posi; tion I asshown in; figure .1 of the v drawings, and l nritfihe nw hswi sies o eme t. otthei signalarm 15 witlnrespeet to the hafw,s hatt e amnh sineg i s ri e e ida he bo y 1 t e me eele, 1-. Prov e h -z hen dalmmp m mr ber 23. The signal arm .15 and; the lamp; housings associated-therewith adapted to I swing; in i arvertical; plane for, giving; the (le sired signal to approaehing i 1 velhaspnr suing, vehicles-,1 and the; in anne g in-avhiellr th is is; aceomplishedawill;be presently: described.

An; arcuate ,meinbee 2 1sv isseeured' to; the, forward face or Wall oft-the oasing fl, onv the; in side, ther Of an d -the same is p resided with g h p c otc s 25,. e tsinne dae; as more clearly shoW Liu-Eigure 1 of he draws in'g. Ay pln; 26 extends laterally ro n the haft:%.and laifl dii e oope a ion; :11; the notches 25, formed in-r 'the inneredgeof he ar ate-rmem 1 When; pin. 52 s a-techie Qn tthe o c e lie-Shaft: pre ent d rom u her tation, and; thereby causes l ev e e le h .3- and rbcrheld .m nts-B ocked ,ie g ge nent,; 0 that:

' he ignatarmi fi il bek li pqs d t -ample;

etermined i; positiom 7. dep nding 119 16; he. noteh in whiehthe free, end of; the pin sis. eated.- I The slmiftc 251 adaptedieur tatien" for, swi ging; h ignal; elf-1 1 51 in he-dew sired position", ,by; pulling outwardly} on the handle 4', .wherehy the shaft; -21;will mere lon gitudinally 1 against the rtension of; the iCOilf spring ,7; andieause the pin-261mhe brought out of engagement With the notclies The,

i te at predetermin d position; and

leased, andthercoil spying-Jamil] return the 511M112 to lt'SrIlQlTHlill poeitldmwhereupon the pin 26 will again become seated in one of the notehes 2 This willseeure the signal arm in the set position, and' thereby properly 7 holdnthelamp housing on the ends of the signal arm in'the desired position, so that the pnopensignalimay be given. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, the various positions in whichthe signal arin is,disposed; will indieate t'oapproaching," as well; as pnrsuing vehioles thedirection in which the; ve-i. hiele' upon whiehthei signal is mounted is ag ng. The cir eui t; to: thesignalling; lamp; is; broken, when the; sigpall arm is in its normal; position, and this is accomplished bypro viding aa projection i 2"? on the shaft 2, adjacentitheriouten end thereof, the same being; adaptedfor engagement with the up per end 1 $5 f o e of he; ont ts 8;: n 3r ma ner as clearly illustrated ii -Figure; 5 of thev dra ws ings, It is of-course, to :beiunderstood that. when the shaft 2 is rotated, for; positioning; the; signal arm, to givea predetermined Sig nal the projectionl27 is Inovedout of en gageinent' With one of' the contaets and the. latter will he in engagement with each other, thereby -i.closing the circuit to the elem trio lamps in, the well known manner;

Lt vill thusibe seen from; the foregoing description, that; a vehicle direction indieator, has been; provided; which may; be readily: and easily-placed; in positionlupon 21- 1110)? eliicle andi the sameavill he -further, operated by;thesoperator. of aqehic-le, in a, simple andeflieient;manner. 'llhe provision a; vehicle. direction indicator is of the eh arahove cleseri red, wi,1l obv iate the n ecess1 3 f the operator ofthemotor vehicle havrt -P fi "hi5; ,11 Q tmf t ecalx i ord r: to givethe desir'ed signal to approaching and p ursuing aiitoinobiles..

. hile I have shown the preferred: embodiment of iny -invention, it is tozhe under stood thatvarious changesinthe size shape and arrangement of parts in ay be resorted to; udthout @departing fmm the spirit of the invention, andi the scope. of the appended claims. 1 15 shaft, a bevel gear on the inner end ofzsaidi laterally extending shaft adapted to mesh with the aforementioned beveled gear, a handle on the rear end of the slidable shaft for permitting the rotation of the shaft and the slidable movement thereof, means associated with the casing and the forward end of the slidable shaft whereby the signal member is held in a predetermined position, means for normally holding the slidable shaft in its normal position, and means for limiting the inward swinging movement of the signal member.

2. A vehicle direction indicator comprising a casing, a shaft extending through the opposed sides thereof and adapted for slidable movement, a beveled gear splined on said shaft and disposed in said casing, an additional shaft extending at right angles to the aforementioned shaft and laterally from the sides of the body of the vehicle, a housing for said last mentioned shaft associated with the side of the casing, a signal member adapted for vertical swinging move ment on the outer end of said laterally extending shaft, a bevel gear on the inner end of said laterally extending shaft adapted to mesh with the aforementioned beveled gear, a handle on the rear end of the slidable shaft for permitting the rotation of the shaft and the slidable movement thereof, means associated with the casing and the forward end of the slidable shaft whereby the signal member is held in a predetermined position, means for normally holding the slidable shaft in its normal position, means for limiting the inward swinging movement of the signal member, said last mentioned means comprising a bracket depending from the outer end of said housin 3. A vehicle direction indicator comprising a casing, a shaft extending through the opposite sides thereof and adapted for slidable movement, a beveled gear splined on said shaft and disposed in said casing, an additional shaft extending at right angles to the aforementioned shaft and laterally from the side of the body of the Vehicle, a housing for said last mentioned shaft extending from the side of the casing, a signal. member, a bracket for supporting the inner end of the signal member on the outer end of said housing, means associated with the signal member, and the outer end of the laterally extending shaft whereby said signal member is adapted for vertical swinging movement, a beveled gear on the inner end of the laterally extending shaft adapted for engagement with the aforementioned beveled gear, a handle on the rear end of the slidable shaft for rotating and sliding the same, means for locking the first mentioned shaft against rotation whereby the signal member is held in a predetermined position, said locking means comprising an arcuate member secured on the inner side of the casing and having spaced notches on the inner edge thereof, a pin carried by the shaft and adapted for cooperation with said notches, and means for normally holding the slidable shaft in its normal position.

4;. A vehicle direction indicator comprising a casing, ashaft extending through the opposite sides thereof and adapted for slidable movement, a beveled gear splined on said shaft and disposed in said casing, an additional shaft extending at right angles to the aforementioned shaft and laterally from the side of the body of the vehicle, a housing for said last mentioned shaft extending from the side of the casing, a signal member, a bracket for supporting the inner end of the signal member on the outer end of said housing, means associated with the signal member, and the outer end of the laterally extending shaftwhereby said signal member is adapted for vertical swinging movement, a beveled gear on the inner end of the later ally extending shaft adapted for engagement with the aforementioned beveled gear, a handle on the rear end of the slidable shaft for rotating and sliding the same, means for locking the first mentioned shaft against rotation whereby the signal member is held in a predetermined position, said locking means comprising an arcuate member secured on the inner side of the casing and having spaced notches on the inner edge thereof, a pin carried by the shaft and adapted for cooperation with said notches, and means for normally holding the slidable shaft in its normal position, and a bumper element depending from the outer end of the housing and providing a means for limiting the inward swinging movement of the sig nal member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LAlVRENGE D. ONEIL. 

